Heqanakht's account, written over an effaced letter regarding two female servants
Heqanakht was a native of Thebes (present day Luxor) during the early Dynasty 12. Letters and accounts written by Heqanakht and one or more scribes on sheets of papyrus were discovered by Museum excavator Herbert E. Winlock in one of the rock cut tomb complexes along the cliff overlooking the temples at Deir el-Bahri. The documents - some still folded, tied and sealed, when found - provide unique insights into the domestic and financial affairs of an average middle class family that lived almost four thousand years ago.
In this papyrus, Heqanakht wrote an account of flax and grain, which he sealed with the mud sealing (2018.595.2) whose impression matches that on another letter by him in our collection (22.3.518). However, he was not the first to use this sheet of papyrus. Traces of ink reveal an effaced letter from a man named Intef to a steward by the name of Ineswisetekh regarding copper and two female servants.
In this papyrus, Heqanakht wrote an account of flax and grain, which he sealed with the mud sealing (2018.595.2) whose impression matches that on another letter by him in our collection (22.3.518). However, he was not the first to use this sheet of papyrus. Traces of ink reveal an effaced letter from a man named Intef to a steward by the name of Ineswisetekh regarding copper and two female servants.
Artwork Details
- Title: Heqanakht's account, written over an effaced letter regarding two female servants
- Period: Middle Kingdom
- Dynasty: early Dynasty 12
- Reign: reign of Senwosret I
- Date: ca. 1956–1953 B.C
- Geography: From Egypt, Upper Egypt, Thebes, Deir el-Bahri, Tomb of Ipy (TT 315, MMA 516B)
- Medium: Papyrus, ink
- Dimensions: H. 28.1 × W. 9.1 cm (11 1/16 × 3 9/16 in.)
- Credit Line: Bequest of Winifred Kate Purches, 2018
- Object Number: 2018.595.1
- Curatorial Department: Egyptian Art
More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
ca. 1961–1917 B.C.
ca. 1050 B.C.
ca. 1981–1975 B.C.
ca. 1635–1458 B.C.
ca. 1479–1458 B.C.
Research Resources
The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.
To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.
Feedback
We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.